21-Breaths Meditation

This short meditation practice can be helpful at times when the mind is really active, agitated or restless. By engaging the mind in both following the breath in & out, and also counting each breath up to twenty-one, the mind is encouraged to become calmer and more focussed. However, our intention is merely to encourage the mind, not to force it, and so we are approaching the practice with a sense of non-striving, of allowing the mind to be as it is; if it is willing to settle, that’s fine, if not, that’s fine too – we simply notice it’s activity. If you become distracted and lose track of counting at any point, or if you reach twenty-one, simply begin again at one, and any time you wish to, simply let go of counting and observe the breath.